Warner Bros/Village Roadshow/Heyday Films’ Wonka has experienced continued success, reaching a remarkable milestone of crossing the $500 million mark at the global box office this weekend. As of Sunday, the worldwide cumulative total stands at $505.3 million, with $329.1 million coming from the international box office. The film has yet to be released in Korea, a market known for its fondness for Hollywood musicals, which is expected to contribute further to its impressive performance.
During this frame, Wonka earned an additional $15.3 million in 77 overseas markets. Notably, it maintained strong holds in several countries, including Spain (-1%), Australia (-36%), Mexico (-36%), the UK (-43%), and Brazil (-44%). These achievements have propelled Wonka to become director Paul King’s highest-grossing film to date. The movie initially premiered internationally on December 6, 2023, with its North American release following on December 15, 2023.
Upon reaching this significant milestone, WB Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs and CEOs Mike De Luca and Pamela Abdy expressed their admiration for the film. They commended director Paul King, producer David Heyman, and the talented cast and crew led by Timothée Chalamet for delivering a truly special musical event. De Luca and Abdy also extended their gratitude to the exhibition partners and global audiences who enthusiastically embraced the film’s big-screen celebration. Warner Bros looks forward to a sweet start to 2024 with Wonka.
The film’s top five markets to date are the UK, generating an outstanding $71.1 million, followed by France with $25.4 million, Mexico with $24.4 million, Australia with $21 million, and Germany with $20.9 million. These countries have showcased a strong demand for Wonka, contributing significantly to its global success.
In addition to Wonka’s continued triumph, this second frame of 2024 introduced two new titles. Miramax’s The Beekeeper premiered in 49 offshore markets, grossing an estimated $20.4 million. In like-for-like markets (excluding China and Russia), The Beekeeper’s start is notably higher, surpassing films such as Wrath of Man, Plane, and the first John Wick installment by 27%, 29%, and 23% respectively. The film’s global three-day total is estimated at $37.1 million, with a notable contribution from IMAX screenings, generating $8.1 million worldwide.
The Beekeeper, starring Jason Statham, performed exceptionally well in China where the actor possesses a sizable fan base. The film secured the fourth position at the Chinese box office, grossing $4.4 million. Moreover, it claimed the top spot for international imports, leading the frame dominated by the local comedy Johnny Keep Walking! with a running total of $108.5 million. The Beekeeper also enjoyed successful openings in Germany and Austria, debuting at number one with an estimated $2.85 million, surpassing previous titles such as Wrath of Man, Plane, and John Wick 2 by 152%, 117%, and 45% respectively. In the Middle East, the film collectively opened at number one, grossing $2.7 million, beating comparable films including John Wick 2. Notable openings in other markets include Australia ($1.4 million), Mexico ($1.3 million), UK ($1.2 million), Ukraine ($919K), Italy ($780), and Spain ($729K). Wonka still has upcoming releases in Scandinavia, Korea, and Japan.
Paramount’s Mean Girls made its debut in just 16 offshore markets, generating a noteworthy $6.5 million. Notable achievements include securing the top spot in Australia with $2.3 million and in Mexico with $1.7 million. The international rollout of Mean Girls represents 47% of its total global footprint. The film will continue its release schedule with upcoming premieres in the UK and New Zealand, followed by Germany on January 25 and Belgium on February 7. The global three-day total for Mean Girls stands at $34.5 million.
Wonka’s impressive box office performance has surpassed the $500 million mark, indicating its widespread popularity and celebration as a musical event. The film’s exceptional holds in various markets, along with the support from exhibition partners and global audiences, have contributed to this sweet start to 2024. Additionally, the introductions of The Beekeeper and Mean Girls have further enriched the variety and success of the box office landscape. As these films continue their theatrical run worldwide, it will be interesting to observe their future accomplishments and impact on the industry.